Question 45407: I am supposed to show steps with this, but the book (Saxon)is pretty confusing to me as to how to preform the problem because I don't see the rules for multiplying and dividing postive and negative numbers mixed. For example, they show to SIMPLIFY (-3)(-3)(-2)(4)
These are the steps they take:
= -(3)(3)(2)(4)
= -(9)(8)
= -72
Why is there a minus sign to the left of the 9 and 3 in the first two rows?
I have this problem to solve, but it's not in the book:
Simplify:
(6)
---
(-2)
So I understand that means six divided by negative two. I understand the answer is -3 (isn't it?) but I don't understand how to take steps as shown above.
On this problem-
Simplify:
(6)(2)
I did this:
(6)(2)= +12
(4)(3)= +12
= +12
Is that right and did I show the steps correctly?
Thank you!
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! SIMPLIFY (-3)(-3)(-2)(4)
These are the steps they take:
= -(3)(3)(2)(4)
= -(9)(8)
= -72
Why is there a minus sign to the left of the 9 and 3 in the first two rows?
Here are the rules:
(+)(+)=+
(-)(-)=+
(+)(-)=-
(-)(+)=-
So the 1st two -'s give you a +
then the + times the 3rd - gives you a - answer.
So you have -3*-3*-2*4 = +9*(-2)(4)= 9*(-8)=-72
Another way to see the rule is:
If you are multiplying an odd number of - signs the
answer is -.
If you are multiplying an even number of - signs
the answer is +.
-----------------------------------
I have this problem to solve, but it's not in the book:
Simplify:
(6)
---
(-2)
So I understand that means six divided by negative two. I understand the answer is -3 (isn't it?) but I don't understand how to take steps as shown above.
Similarly, if you are dividing with an odd number of - signs the
answer is -.
If you are dividing with an even number of - signs the answer is +.
So 6/(-2) = -3 but -6/(-2)=+3
-----------------------------------
On this problem-
Simplify:
(6)(2)
I did this:
(6)(2)= +12
That's the answer. You don't need
the following line.
(4)(3)= +12
= +12
Is that right and did I show the steps correctly?
Cheers,
Stan H.
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